Land Acknowledgement at Crafton Hills College

Aerial view of campus

At Crafton Hills College, we acknowledge that our campus resides on what was historically the land of indigenous peoples. It is important that we prioritize respect for both the historic culture and current presence of America’s First People throughout California and in our region.

We encourage the use of the approved land acknowledgement statements at any events hosted on the campus either in a printed program or verbally during the event.

CHC has worked with San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to establish the following options for these acknowledgements:

For printed materials: 

Crafton Hills College acknowledges that the land on which it is built is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Maara’yam, commonly referred to as the Serrano people, and the Cahuilla. The Maara’yam (Serrano) and Cahuilla are inherently tied to the land and continue to maintain a symbiotic relationship to its many cultural and natural resources. Yucaipa began as a village established by Maara’yam (Serrano), who called the valley Yukaipa’t. This fertile valley provided, and still provides, important cultural connections between the Maara’yam (Serrano) and the landscape. To this day, the Maara’yam (Serrano) fulfill their Creator-given right and responsibility to steward their ancestral territory, including the Crafton and Yucaipa area, via important partnerships with entities such as Crafton Hills College. Our histories and stories are intertwined in this space, and by sharing them in culturally appropriate ways, Crafton Hills College hopes to honor and celebrate our indigenous neighbors and partners. 

For verbal presentations:

Crafton Hills College acknowledges that the land on which it is built is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Maara’yam, commonly referred to as the Serrano people. Maara’yam (Serrano) and Cahuilla histories and stories are intertwined in this space, and by sharing them in culturally appropriate ways, Crafton Hills College hopes to honor and celebrate our indigenous neighbors and partners. 

 

Thank you for helping Crafton Hills College show respect and appreciation for indigenous communities.